Luka Doncic impressed during his time at EuroBasket. The Los Angeles Lakers star helped lead his national team to the quarter finals, where they fell short against Germany.
Doncic played in seven games for Slovenia, averaging 34.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 62.1% from two-point range. His performances were elite, and will undoubtedly have Lakers fans excited about the upcoming season.
It would also appear that Doncic’s production in Europe has impressed some of his peers in the NBA. In a recent episode of the “Podcast P with Paul George” podcast, the Philadelphia 76ers star claimed that Doncic is on track to become the greatest European player of all time.
“We’re talking about being the biggest international player now,” George said. “That’s surpassing GOATs,” George said. “That’s surpassing Dirk. That’s surpassing Tony Parker. That’s surpassing Hakeem. He’s got a chance to be the biggest international guy, surpassing Giannis in a way. He’s got a chance to be one of the best to ever do it. His game is just way older than what he is. He’s tough, man. He’s a problem. Big fan of Luka and he talk that s***, too.”
Doncic still has a way to go before we can talk about him being the top European player in history. Winning an NBA championship will certainly help his standing in that conversation. And, if he plays like he did in EuroBasket, the wait for that first NBA ring may be short-lived.
Warriors’ Star Was Shocked By Doncic’s Lakers Move
During a recent interview with “The National,” Golden State Warriors’ star Jimmy Butler shared his thoughts on Doncic’s move to the Lakers. The star forward noted how he believes something had happened behind the scenes to trigger such a big decision from the Dallas Mavericks.
“I thought it was fake like everybody else,” Butler said. “So did you, I don’t even have to ask, you know what I mean?… When you use the word untradable, untouchable, you’d think Luka Doncic is one of those guys, honestly…There’s always more to it… You only know what you read, you only know what you see from socials.”
Butler continued.
“You don’t know what was really going on behind closed doors…There’s always more to these stories. I don’t know, but I can guarantee you that there is more and there’s always reason behind everything. Do I know the reason? No.”
Regardless of the circumstances that led Doncic to the Lakers, he’s now the face of the most popular NBA franchise in the world. Rob Pelinka has spent the summer strengthening the roster, and now, the Lakers will head into the 2025-26 season among the favorites in the Western Conference.
Lakers Could Still Add A 3-And-D Forward
According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, writing in a recent edition of “The Stein Line Newsletter,” the Lakers would have interest in acquiring a talented forward capable of improving the current rotation. Stein then mentioned Wiggins as a potential target.
“League sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling,” Stein wrote. “My read (if Miami were to make him available): Andrew Wiggins.”
If the Lakers can acquire a two-way forward capable of stretching the floor, their roster would likely be complete. With plenty of time before the February 2026 trade deadline, Pelinka could still make a move. However, with Doncic and LeBron James leading the Lakers, they should be in the mix with the team they already have.
Doncic’s performances in Europe this summer are a sign of things to come, and that should have Lakers fans excited for the upcoming season and the years ahead.
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